Last Updated on September 1, 2026 1:03 pm
A Vilas man has been sentenced to decades in prison and a Vilas woman has received probation after pleading guilty in a Watauga County child abuse case that began with a report to the Department of Social Services last year.
The Watauga County Sheriff's Office says the investigation started June 13, 2025, when a report alleging child neglect and abuse was forwarded from Watauga County DSS to the Sheriff's Office. Investigators began looking into the case immediately, working alongside the Children's Advocacy Center and DSS. The suspects were identified as James Braswell, 30, of Vilas, and Kayla Miller, 30, also of Vilas.
On June 27, 2025, investigators secured a warrant charging Braswell with First Degree Statutory Sex Offense. He was held without bond pending a first appearance before a District Court judge.
Sheriff's Office investigators then worked with the Watauga County District Attorney's Office to determine additional charges. On June 30, 2025, investigators secured further warrants charging Braswell with Incest, First Degree Statutory Rape, two additional counts of First Degree Statutory Sex Offense, Indecent Liberties with a Minor, and three counts of Felony Child Abuse. He was arrested that day and held on a $2,000,000 secured bond.
Miller was charged the same day with three counts of Felony Child Abuse. She was arrested June 30, 2025, and released on a $40,000 secured bond.
On August 10, 2026, Braswell pleaded guilty at the Watauga County Courthouse to three counts of Felony Child Abuse, one count of First Degree Statutory Rape, and one count of Indecent Liberties with a Minor. He was sentenced to 13 to 25 months on each Felony Child Abuse count, 240 to 348 months on the Statutory Rape count, and 16 to 29 months on the Indecent Liberties count, with all sentences to run consecutively — a combined range of roughly 295 to 452 months, or about 24 to 37 years.
The following day, August 11, 2026, Miller pleaded guilty to three counts of Felony Child Abuse. She received credit for time served and was placed on active probation. If her probation is revoked, the underlying sentences — 13 to 25 months on each count, served consecutively — would apply.
The Watauga County Sheriff's Office says it continues to work with Watauga County DSS, the Children's Advocacy Center, and the Watauga County District Attorney's Office to protect the community.
